IS IT AN EATING DISORDER?

Are you worried that you or someone you care about may have an eating disorder?

It can be difficult to spot an eating disorder early on. This is because people will often hide, disguise or deny what they are doing, or they may not even realise that their eating is a problem. However, the sooner an eating disorder is spotted, the better! If an eating disorder is noticed early support can be offered quickly.

Have you noticed any of the following in you or a loved one?

Thinking about food all the time

Dieting

Missing meals

Eating alone

Counting calories

Worry around meal times

Guilt after eating

Worrying about losing control around food

Comfort eating

Weight loss

Frequent changes in weight

Missed menstrual periods

Vomiting after eating

Signs of damage due to vomiting

Worries about body shape and weight

Frequent checking of your body shape or weight

Avoiding looking at your body

Comparing your body with others

Eating meals very slowly

Excessive exercise

Frequent trips to the bathroom during or shortly after meals

SELF-ASSESSMENT

If you or someone you care about has been showing some of the symptoms shown above, you may want to take a clinically backed self assessment.

Can you answer ‘yes’ to two or more of the following questions?

Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full?

Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?

Have you recently lost more than one stone in a 3 month period?

Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?

Would you say that food dominates your life?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to two or more of the questions above we strongly recommend that you speak with someone about how you are feeling as soon as possible. The sooner you ask for help the more chance you have of getting better quickly.

Seeking help early gives the best chance for a full recovery. Early help reduces the severity, duration and impact of an eating disorder. If you notice any warning signs or symptoms you should seek professional help at the earliest possible time. Don’t wait for the illness to progress.

You are not alone in your journey with an eating disorder. There are many people who have walked a similar road. They may have struggled with an eating disorder themselves, supported a family member or friend, or worked in field.

It is possible to fully recover from an eating disorder, so seek help early.

Danielle Glennon, Clinician

An eating disorder is the most lonely thing in the world. It doesn’t have to be. Ask for help!

Anonymous

You can have an eating disorder whatever your weight.

Vicki Mountford, Clinical Psychologist

Eating Disorders thrive on secrecy. Talk to others, seek help.

Anonymous

Recovery is possible!

Monica Leslie, PhD Student

No uncomfortable feeling, troubling thought or unusual behaviour is too small or insignificant to share with someone else.

Gemma Gordon, Research Worker

Therapy is like learning to drive a car... You learn in session and practice in between.

Omara Naseem, Psychologist

Eating disorders thrive in secrecy and shame. Don’t suffer in silence, get help early.

Dr Antonia Koskina, Clinical Psychologist

The earlier you get help for your eating disorder, the more likely you are to make a rapid and sustained recovery.

Michaela Flynn, Research Worker

To recover you have got to be brave: it involves taking risks, and tolerating uncertainty and set-backs.

Ulrike Schmidt, Psychiatrist and Professor of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are not just a problem for teenage girls.

Savani Bartholdy, Research Worker

It’s never too early, or too late, to get help. Treatment may be difficult but you deserve to feel better.

Bethan Dalton, PhD Student

If you are a friend of family member and concerned…don’t sit in silence. Find a way to gently talk about your concerns.

Vicki Mountford, Clinical Psychologist

An eating disorder is never the solution to a person’s distress or difficulties. It is always the problem.

Ulrike Schmidt, Psychiatrist and Professor of Eating Disorders

Opening up to a person you trust is the first step towards recovery.

Ulrike Schmidt, Psychiatrist and Professor of Eating Disorders

Sometimes things seem to get worse before they get better. But they do get better.

Omara Naseem, Psychologist

Everyone is nervous before their first appointment, but most leave the session relived that they have taken that first step.